After graduating from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1979, Mr. O’Brien opened his own Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation practice in 1982. Mr. O’Brien has extensive experience in representing injured union members and working with clients to make sure that they receive maximum benefits and settlements. His office has handled thousands of claims, and has a reputation for preparing cases so that they are ready to be won at trial, which often facilitates a fast settlement or resolution of a claim.

Ava Gehringer is a trial attorney at Kaveny Sarmas Injury Lawyers who represents individuals and families devastated by medical negligence and catastrophic injury. She practices in all areas of personal injury, with a particular focus on complex medical malpractice, wrongful death, and serious injury cases. Ava works relentlessly to uncover critical failures in care, expose systemic breakdowns, and secure meaningful justice for her clients. Ava earned her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she received three CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for legal writing and litigation. A Chicago-area native, Ava grew up in Evanston and spent her young adult years traveling the globe as a rhythmic gymnast, representing the United States. She retired as a National Champion and member of the U.S. World Team, later serving as an athlete representative to the USA National Team, where she acted as a liaison between youth athletes and national leadership. “Serving as a voice between young athletes and those in positions of authority taught me the importance of speaking up when others cannot,” Ava says. “That experience ignited my passion for advocacy and ultimately led me to the law.” Ava prepares every case as though it will be tried before a jury. Her background as a former elite athlete shapes her approach to litigation—disciplined, strategic, and unyielding in high-pressure environments—and her background as an athlete representative shapes her commitment to consistent and open communication with her clients at every step. She understands that behind every case is a family whose life has been permanently changed, and she treats that responsibility with the seriousness it demands.

Since joining TorHoerman Law in 2009, Jacob Plattenberger has taken hundreds of depositions, argued in countless hearings, and tried over thirty-five (35) cases to a jury. His experience in and out of the courtroom has made him a passionate advocate for those injured due to the negligence of others. Jake started his career trying cases at one of the busiest civil courthouses in the country – the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago. He started out doing insurance defense because he knew that afforded him the best opportunity to get courtroom experience. This type of real trial experience is exceedingly rare in complex civil litigation and having seen it from the defense side gives Jake an added advantage.

* Inappropriately salaried employees violations * Meal break violations * Pre- and post-shift work violations * Minimum wage violations * Recovering back pay and compensation for undocumented workers * Independent contractor exemption violations